A new report found the Trump White House stonewalled the FBI when it was investigating sexual assault allegations against then-Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh. The report from Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., was released six years after Kavanaugh’s confirmation. Kavanaugh’s confirmation hearings led to protests both inside and outside the Capitol building.
“This report shows that the supplemental background investigation was a sham, controlled by the Trump White House, to give political cover to Senate Republicans and put Justice Kavanaugh back on the political track to confirmation,” Whitehouse said in a statement.
Kavanaugh was accused of sexual misconduct by multiple women during his confirmation process.
Dr. Christine Blasey Ford accused Kavanaugh of sexually assaulting her at a high school party in the early 80’s. Ford said Kavanaugh locked her in a bedroom, climbed on top of her and attempted to remove her clothes. Deborah Ramirez said Kavanaugh drunkenly exposed himself during a dorm party.
Whitehouse’s report had four main findings:
- The supplemental background investigation into allegations made by Ford and Ramirez were completely controlled by the Trump administration. Trump said the FBI had free rein to investigate whatever it thought was necessary, but this report says that was false.
- The report said statements from the White House that the investigation was done “by the book” were misleading because the FBI typically follows step-by-step instructions from the White House when conducting those types of background checks.
- The Trump White House instructed investigators to pursue only first-hand evidence and not corroborating evidence. The report said Senate Republicans then cited the lack of corroborating evidence to justify confirming Kavanaugh.
- The report said the FBI’s public tip line investigation was fake and that no tip was ever investigated.
“The lack of FBI investigative standards helped the Trump White House thwart meaningful investigation of the allegations against Kavanaugh, denying Senators information needed to fulfill their constitutional duties,” Whitehouse stated.
Whitehouse called on the FBI to create protocols for background investigations so both senators and the American people know they’re getting real answers the next time serious allegations arise about a nominee.
